Tag: Broncos Stadium

Von Miller stars in commercial calling for NFL to switch from turf to grass

In a new commercial for Pennington Grass Seed, Von Miller calls for the NFL to switch from artificial turf to natural grass fields.

The NFL Players Association has been lobbying for the league to abandon artificial turf in favor of natural grass, a move that the NFLPA says would help make football safer by reducing the number of injuries that happen on turf.

One of football’s biggest stars, Buffalo Bills pass rusher Von Miller, has joined the NFLPA’s campaign by teaming up with Pennington Grass Seed for a commercial promoting natural grass playing surfaces for football (the Bills are among 16 NFL teams who play on turf).

In an ad that Pennington says was rejected by a network for the NFL draft, Miller says until turf is off the field, “draft day will always be painful.”

Here is the minute-long ad from Pennington Grass Seed’s YouTube channel:

“The game will take a toll on your — twisted ankles, torn ACLs — your body pushed to the brink,” Miller says in the commercial. “We all knew the risk when we signed up, but why do injuries have to come direct from the field?”

Miller spent the first 10 and a half years of his career with the Denver Broncos. While playing for the Broncos in 2013, Miller tore his ACL in a road game against the Houston Texans, who play on turf.

Miller now plays for the Bills and he suffered another torn ACL last season during a road game against the Detroit Lions, who also play on turf.

The Broncos play their home games at Empower Field at Mile High on natural grass. Last fall, the team’s ownership group paid $400,000 to have the field replaced for the final home game of the season in an effort to give players a safe playing surface.

Clearly, Denver’s ownership group believes natural grass is a worthwhile investment, but half of the league still plays on synthetic turf, which is cheaper to maintain. For safety reasons, players want all 32 teams playing on natural grass, and Miller is now an official spokesperson for the cause.

“It’s time to put the players first,” Miller says in the ad. “Get turf off the fields and bring back grass.”

[vertical-gallery id=620142]

Follow the Broncos Wire Podcast:
Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts

JJ Watt chimes in on Broncos’ stadium situation

As the Broncos consider a new stadium, JJ Watt chimed in to note that Empower Field at Mile High “has always been one of my favorites.”

JJ Watt’s NFL career is over, but his social media will keep him in the public eye. His Twitter account displays his personality, and he isn’t afraid to give his opinions.

Speaking of opinions, Watt chimed in on the current Denver Broncos conundrum. The Walton-Penner era of Broncos ownership will let the fans help decide some of the team’s plans for the future, including whether or not the team gets a new stadium.

The Broncos organization recently sent a survey to season ticket holders asking for their input, but Watt gave an interesting viewpoint on what the Broncos should do on the stadium front. For Watt, staying put at Empower Field at Mile High is the best answer.

The Walton-Penner group has the financial assets to build and develop new facilities with no issues. But perhaps Watt has a point: leaving well enough alone may be for the best. Nevertheless, the Sean Payton-Russel Wilson era will have Empower Field at Mile High filled with fans — especially if it’s successful.

Follow the Broncos Wire Podcast:
Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts

[lawrence-auto-related count=5 category=482983128]

Broncos ownership shouldn’t ask fans to help fund new stadium with PSLs

The Broncos have the richest ownership group in the NFL (by far). Those owners should not ask fans to help fund a new stadium with PSLs.

The Denver Broncos sent an email to season ticket holders on Thursday asking them to take a survey about the possibility of renovations to Empower Field at Mile High and the possibility of a completely new stadium.

“Surveys sent to fans regarding our gameday/stadium experience are the next step of the research project we announced in January,” team president Damani Leech tweeted on March 23. “We’ve had great feedback from the focus groups & look forward to learning even more with the surveys. Let us know what you think, Broncos Country!”

The Broncos have not yet officially made a decision on the possibility of a new stadium, but this is a step in a process that could ultimately lead to such a decision being made.

Thursday’s survey link asked questions about the stadium’s location (and how far fans are willing to travel) and the possibility of a roof on the stadium, among other topics. The survey also introduced the possibility of personal seat licenses, a one-time purchase that gives season ticket holders the “right” to buy their tickets each season.

PSLs are hated by fans but loved by teams because they can help fund building new stadiums. One fan on Twitter said he would have to pay almost $15,000 to get PSLs for his three season tickets in the highest section of the stadium.

“If the @Broncos want me to pay nearly $15000 for a PSL for my 3 seats, plus increase the total price per season for those seats by $2400 (to nearly $6000) I’ll be out,” @H_MooreCO tweeted Thursday.

Many fans will feel similarly, but with a long season-ticket waiting list, Denver will likely be able to find other fans willing to pay up. NFL games are already expensive to attend. Adding in PSLs for season ticket holders would make Broncos games even more out of reach for many fans.

“PSL’s price out average-income fans,” @AlamoOnTheRise tweeted Thursday. “If the Walton-Penner group is seeking to wash out longstanding, lower income season ticket holders, PSL’s are the way to go.”

Denver’s front office will point out that nearly every modern NFL stadium has been built with the help of PSLs. Broncos fans can counter, though, that no other NFL team has an ownership group like the Walton-Penner family.

Rob Walton has an estimated net worth of nearly $60 billion. The next-richest owner in the NFL is David Tepper, worth nearly $19 billion. Denver has the richest ownership group in the NFL by a very wide margin.

The Broncos do not have an ordinary ownership group, and they shouldn’t follow the lead of ordinary owners. Every ownership group in the NFL can afford to pay for their own stadium, and Denver’s even more so. Nothing is official yet, but if the Broncos ultimately decide to build a new super stadium, the owners should not ask fans to help fund it with PSLs.

Follow the Broncos Wire Podcast:
Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts

[vertical-gallery id=620142]

Broncos increase ticket prices by average of more than 13%

The Broncos are increasing their average ticket price from $116.15 to $132.05 in 2023.

Denver Broncos season tickets will see a significant price increase in 2023.

Last year, the Broncos’ average ticket price was $116.15. This season, the average price will increase to $132.05, according to KUSA-TV’s Mike Klis. That additional $15.90 per game represents a 13.689% increase.

Denver has credited the increase in price in part to a “market” adjustment. Broncos tickets sold for an average of 40% more on the secondary market than their average price of $116.15 in 2022.

Of course, secondary market tickets for NFL teams are usually higher than direct-from-team tickets, but Denver used that as part of their explanation for the increase. The Broncos have sold out every game dating back to 1970, so the club knows there’s enough demand for fans to continue paying even as the ticket prices continue going up.

Denver also has a 50,000-name wait list for season tickets.

The Broncos’ list of opponents for the 2023 season includes hosting the New England Patriots, New York Jets, Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings, Washington Commanders and Cleveland Browns at Empower Field at Mile High. Denver will also host each AFC West team this fall.

[vertical-gallery id=691122]

Follow the Broncos Wire Podcast:
Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts

Broncos begin consulting fans on stadium’s future

The Broncos will soon begin asking fans for input on the future of the team’s stadium.

The Denver Broncos are already consulting fans about potential new uniforms. Soon, they will begin asking fans for their opinions about the future of the team’s stadium.

The Broncos have hired sports advisory and planning firm Legends “to conduct an extensive research project on their stadium and the entire game-day experience,” according to a report from KUSA-TV’s Mike Klis.

The team confirmed that report on Tuesday afternoon.

As part of the research project, the team will begin consulting select fans in focus groups, interviews and surveys on the future of Empower Field at Mile High.

It has been widely speculated that Denver’s new ownership group will eventually build a new stadium, but making big changes to the existing stadium is also a possibility.

The Broncos are already spending $100 million on renovations and upgrades on Empower Field at Mile High this offseason, but that has not ruled out the possibility of eventually building a brand new stadium.

The team said there is no timetable for a potential decision on the overall future of the stadium, but the Legends market research project is expected to be completed in April. Denver will use the information collected during this process to reach a decision in the future.

Follow the Broncos Wire Podcast:
Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts

[vertical-gallery id=620142]

Broncos owners paid $400,000 to replace grass field for season finale

Broncos owners paid $400,000 to replace the grass field at Empower Field at Mile High for the team’s season finale.

After harsh weather and multiple high school football games, the playing surface at Empower Field at Mile High looked worn down as the Denver Broncos approached Sunday’s season finale.

So team co-owner/CEO Greg Penner had a new grass field installed at a cost of roughly $400,000, according to a report from KUSA-TV’s Mike Klis.

The new sod will be used for just one NFL game — after a busy summer schedule of concerts and Supercross motorcycle events, the Broncos will resod the field again before the 2023 season.

The team shared video on social media showing the process of the grass being replaced in time for the season finale.

The Broncos also outlined the “3” at the 30-yard line in Buffalo Bills red to show support for recovering safety Damar Hamlin.

After hosting the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday, the Broncos will turn attention toward their head coaching search and the offseason. Denver has received permission from the Saints to interview Sean Payton, and the team has also shown interest in Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh.

Follow the Broncos Wire Podcast:
Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts

[listicle id=690971]

Broncos’ ownership to make $100-plus million upgrades to stadium

When the upgrades are complete, the Broncos will have the fourth-largest single scoreboard in the NFL.

Following the Walton-Penner ownership group’s acquisition of the Denver Broncos in June 2022, rumors of a new stadium have run rampant across the Denver metro area.

That might happen down the road, but the team’s new ownership group is first focused on upgrading the team’s current stadium. The Broncos announced this week that the team is making more than $100 million worth of upgrades to Empower Field at Mile High.

The upgrades will include, per a press release:

  • an expansion of the south stand scoreboard by 70 percent. Upgrade the south scoreboard, two other in-stadium video boards and the ribbon boards to HDR quality.
  • Premium hospitality area upgrades to corridors and suites.
  • Wi-Fi enhancements to Empower Field at Mile High.
  • Significant concession upgrades to fans, expanding the Broncos’ sports industry-leading deployment of autonomous markets within the stadium.
  • A 3,000-square-foot expansion of the Broncos Team Store, including the installation of customer restrooms for the first time.
  • Installation of two new elevators to increase access for ADA patrons and guests. Those elevators will be located in the east and west sides of Empower Field.

“This significant investment in Empower Field at Mile High — the largest in the stadium’s history — demonstrates the deep commitment by the Walton-Penner Family Ownership Group to immediately and continually provide the best possible experience for our fans,” Broncos president Damani Leech said.

On Wednesday, NFL owners voted in approval of a G-4 financing loan for the team to begin the upgrades.

The south stands scoreboard expansion will arguably be the largest project. By the end of its completion, it will be the fourth-largest single scoreboard inside an NFL stadium. All upgrades will begin after the 2022 season ends, and be completed before the 2023 season commences.

Follow the Broncos Wire Podcast:
Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts

[vertical-gallery id=689861]

Broncos’ stadium to host Air Force-Army game in 2023

College football will return to the Broncos’ stadium in 2023. Empower Field at Mile High will host Air Force-Navy next fall.

College football will return to the Denver Broncos’ stadium in 2023.

Empower Field at Mile High will host the Air Force-Navy game on Nov. 4 next year, the team announced Sunday.

“We are looking forward to partnering with the Denver Broncos to host the Air Force vs. Army game next season,” Air Force director of athletics Nathan Pine said in a statement. “Construction on our east side renovation project will not allow us to showcase the service academy rivalry game in Falcon Stadium the way we want to.

“While the end result at Falcon Stadium will be well worth it, hosting the game at Empower Field in 2023 and working closely with the Broncos staff will create a memorable experience for our players and our fans and will keep the important advantage of playing this game in Colorado.”

Tickets to the game will go on sale in February.

This year’s game between the Falcons and Black Knights will be played at Globe Life Field, home of MLB’s Texas Rangers. The Air Force leads the all-time series against the Army 33-16-1 since 1959.

Earlier this month, the Broncos hosted the University of Colorado and Texas A&M University on Sept. 11. The Aggies defeated the Buffaloes 10-7.

Empower Field at Mile High has hosted 18 Division I college football games since the stadium opened in 2001.

Follow the Broncos Wire Podcast:
Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts

[vertical-gallery id=620142]

Broncos owners aren’t rushing decision on stadium

“We’ll evaluate all of our options and dig in to understand the situation before making any decision,” Broncos owner/CEO Greg Penner said.

The Denver Broncos have a new ownership group, and fans are curious to know what changes might be in store for the team — changes such as potential new uniforms and a potential new stadium.

We know there won’t be new uniforms right away (the earliest changes could be made is 2023, and perhaps more realistically in 2024).

So how about Empower Field at Mile High? Will the team’s new ownership group build a new super stadium to rival SoFi Stadium?

Nothing’s imminent.

“It’s premature to start talking about a new stadium,” Broncos owner/CEO Greg Penner said last week. “I’ll say that Empower Field at Mile High is a world-class facility. It’s hosted, obviously, football games, terrific other sporting events and entertainment events.

“We have a good partnership with the Metropolitan Football Stadium District and have almost 10 years left on our lease. We’ll evaluate all of our options and dig in to understand the situation before making any decision.”

The Broncos might not necessarily wait the entire 10 years before making a decision, but they don’t appear to be in a rush to make big changes. The team will obviously remain at Empower Field for at least the 2022 season. Beyond that, who knows? But fans shouldn’t expect a new stadium announcement anytime soon.

“We have some time to go out and see what the different options are — consider everything and then make a decision,” Penner said.

Word on potential new uniforms will likely arrive much sooner than word on a potential new stadium. For now, Empower Field remains the team’s home.

Follow the Broncos Wire Podcast:
Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts

[vertical-gallery id=684378]

Denver not selected to host World Cup games in 2026

Denver (and the Broncos’ stadium) was not selected to host World Cup matches in 2026.

FIFA announced 16 cities from the United States, Mexico and Canada that will co-host 2026 World Cup matches on Thursday evening.

Denver was a finalist to host World Cup matches but was not selected. Had the city won its bid, the Denver Broncos would have been set to host games at their stadium, Empower Field at Mile High. (Of course, new owner Rob Walton might plan to build a brand new stadium.)

Missing out on World Cup matches is unfortunate for the city, but Denver will undoubtedly host other international soccer games in the coming years.

The Broncos hosted four Concacaf Nations League games at their stadium last summer, including the U.S. men’s national team’s 3-2 win over Mexico in the Nation’s League final. The team’s stadium has also hosted Concacaf Gold Cup games and friendly matches in the past in the well.

The U.S. cities that were selected to host World Cup games in 2026 are Seattle, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Kansas City, Dallas, Houston, Atlanta, Boston, Philadelphia, Miami and New York/New Jersey.

Mexico will host games in Guadalajara, Monterrey and Mexico City; Canada will host games in Vancouver and Toronto.

The 2022 World Cup will be held in Qatar this summer.

[lawrence-related id=646155,619026,607073,607068]

[vertical-gallery id=620142]